Geriatric Care Manager the Interview.

One of my very first posts was “What is a GCM?” I talked about my knowledge and experience with Geriatric Care Managers (GCM). Today, I am going to introduce you to Robin Staver the founder of Staver Care Management. Robin has been gracious enough to let me interview her. She has been a beneficial part of helping my aunt and uncle in New York City with their care plan. She helped me out when my mom fell and had her accident by referring me to a GCM in my area. I can not say enough good things about her. There are very few people out in this world that you meet that are so giving, compassionate, and caring than GCM’s. Robin is one of the best in my opinion.

Robin Staver is the founder of Staver Care Management LLC. For the past 20 years, her work has been dedicated to serving the needs of adults and their families. In addition, she has worked for social service agencies as a case manager and advocate for older adults with hearing impairments, Deaf-blindness, developmental, physical and psychiatric disabilities. Want to find out more visit her website at www.stavereldercare.com .

Geriatric Care Manager the Interview:

Q: What makes you an expert?

Robin: I have worked as a case manager for clients with all types of disabilities for well over 20 years.

Q:What kind of training do you have?

Robin: My training is in speech, communications, and deaf studies. I am a certified as a CMC (Care Manager Certified) by NACCM, the National Association of Certified Care Managers. In order to be certified, I passed an examination. To maintain my certification, I must obtain at least 15 credits in continuing education courses annually per 3 year certification period.

Q: Do all Geriatric Care Manager’s have the same training?

Robin: Geriatric Care Managers(GCM’s)/ Aging Life Care Specialists come to this field from many different backgrounds including social work, therapy, education, nursing, law and many other. The training and certifications vary.

Q: How do most of your clients find you?

Robin: Many of my clients are referred by word of mouth, attorneys, accountants, physicians, hospice, hospital, and rehab discharge planners, concerned family members and friends of potential clients. I also get referrals from the ALCA website, our national organization Aging Life Care Association and my website.

Q: At what stage of care do most of your clients seek you out?

Robin: Very few people plan ahead for my services. Most call when there is a crisis and need immediate assistance.

Q: How many of your clients are an older person?

Robin: The majority of my clients are older adults. However, I work with clients in their 20’s through 50’s who have developmental, intellectual, neurological and psychiatric disabilities.

Q:What is the one thing you do the most for your clients?

Robin: No two clients are the same. Everyone’s needs are different. Many clients need home care, community referrals, accompaniment to medical appointments. Some are hoarders and have bed bugs. They require respite while their homes are cleaned. Some request assistance with alternative living arrangements. The list is endless. What I do the most is treat my clients with dignity, respect, and help the live safe and independent lives with supports in place when necessary.

Q: Who are your clients?

Robin: My clients are from varying backgrounds. Some are high profile. Some don’t know where their next meal will come from. I have artists, teacher, engineers, professional dancers, chemists, biologists, musicians, and many other. Some have dementia, varying movement disorders including Parkinsons Disease. Some have broken hearts after losing the most important person in their life. The common thread is they and the people who care about them want them to have the best quality of life possible.

I hope this interview and my other post “What is a GCM?” give you a better idea of who is out there in the world to help you and your loved ones out in times of crisis.

I would like to send out a huge thank you to Robin for agreeing to do this interview with me.

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Comments

Terri this was a lovely read. We are going through a difficult time with my mother in law who is very ill and in a palliative care ward in our local hospital. I wish I knew about GCM when she first fell ill, it sure would have saved many headaches, tears and panic. Thanks for sharing!

Terri… I wish that I had known about a GCM when my mom was struggling so and digging her heels in when it came to staying in her home when she needed so much care. I’m sure you’ve opened the eyes of others who need this information.

This was my goal to inform people. I was so thankful have these wonderful people in my life when my mom fell. I want everyone know there are people other than government agencies out there.
Thank you for your kind comments – Terri